Despite the challenges, there are numerous growth opportunities for UX designers and creative professionals. In 2024, the demand for skilled UI/UX designers will continue to grow as companies increasingly recognize the value of exceptional user experiences.
Various sources of income will open up for UX designers, from full-time jobs to freelance work to selling design assets. The average salary of a UX designer in Germany is around €44,500 per year, with a range of between €40,000 in medical technology and €50,000 in mechanical and plant engineering, depending on the industry.
AI systems will provide highly personalized user experiences by analyzing real-time data and adapting user interfaces to individual needs. Designers will increasingly collaborate with AI to develop predictive and adaptive interfaces that enable seamless and intuitive interactions.
For UX designers, this means a significant shift in the way they work. Those who merely operate AI will become replaceable – those who understand it and can use it strategically, on the other hand, will have the chance to revolutionize the user experience. Creativity will remain a human domain – “creativity will never be automated”, as one expert emphasizes.
Technological progress, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, is transforming both UX design and the entire creative industry in the long term. In 2025, AI will increasingly be used for so-called “small use cases” to save users time and enable them to complete their tasks more efficiently.
AI systems will provide highly personalized user experiences by analyzing real-time data and adapting user interfaces to individual needs. Designers will increasingly work with AI to develop predictive and adaptive interfaces that enable seamless and intuitive interactions.
For UX designers, this means a significant shift in the way they work. Those who merely operate AI will become replaceable – those who understand it and can use it strategically, on the other hand, will have the chance to revolutionize the user experience. Creativity will remain a human domain – “creativity will never be automated”, as one expert emphasizes.
Technological progress, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, is transforming both UX design and the entire creative industry in the long term. In 2025, AI will increasingly be used for so-called “small use cases” to save users time and enable them to complete their tasks more efficiently.
AI systems will provide highly personalized user experiences by analyzing real-time data and adapting user interfaces to individual needs. Designers will increasingly work with AI to develop predictive and adaptive interfaces that enable seamless and intuitive interactions.
Digital transformation is rapidly changing how companies interact with their customers, and both UX design and the creative industry as a whole are facing significant upheaval. The demand for skilled UX designers and creative professionals is changing due to economic fluctuations, technological developments and new market dynamics. This analysis looks at the trends and predicts how these professions will position themselves in the coming years.
Current market situation and areas of tension
The UX design market is currently going through a phase of consolidation and reorientation. After a peak phase 5-10 years ago, when demand for UX designers peaked and supply was still low, the market now seems to be entering a mature phase. Many companies are questioning their UX investments, scaling them back or at least imposing a hiring freeze. There are reports of fashion retailers laying off their entire UX research departments and automotive suppliers who believe they will not need UX designers or UX researchers in the future.
This development is in apparent contradiction to data from the World Economic Forum, which ranks UX/UI design as one of the fastest growing professional fields. This discrepancy makes it clear that we are in a transitional phase in which the role of UX designers is changing fundamentally.
The creative industry as a whole presents a more nuanced picture. While some traditional creative professions are under pressure, other areas are experiencing strong growth. The global market for art and craft tools, for example, is expected to grow from 3.61 billion US dollars in 2023 to 5.44 billion US dollars in the coming years.
Technological change and the AI revolution
Technological progress, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, is transforming both UX design and the entire creative industry in the long term. In 2025, AI will increasingly be used for so-called “small use cases” to save users time and enable them to complete their tasks more efficiently.
AI systems will provide highly personalized user experiences by analyzing real-time data and adapting user interfaces to individual needs. Designers will increasingly work with AI to develop predictive and adaptive interfaces that enable seamless and intuitive interactions.
For UX designers, this means a significant shift in the way they work. Those who merely operate AI will become replaceable – those who understand it and can use it strategically, on the other hand, have the chance to revolutionize the user experience. Creativity will remain a human domain – “creativity will never be automated”, as one expert emphasizes.
In contrast, creative professions that follow fixed patterns or can be easily standardized are under greater pressure. Copywriters for product descriptions or SEO-optimized content will have to adapt, as AI can create masses of content in seconds.
New job profiles and career prospects
The role of the UX designer is evolving from a purely creative activity to a strategic position. UX design is becoming more mature and professional with a stronger focus on measurable impact. The following trends are emerging for 2025:
- UX KPIs and benchmarking: UX teams need to prove their impact and make success visible through measurable KPIs.
- Democratization of UX: User centricity is not just the task of the UX team, but is being spread to all departments.
- Understanding the business is becoming essential: UX can only exist if it clearly contributes to the corporate strategy. “Many UX experts are extremely hard-working, but don’t focus enough on the business aspects,” notes Katja Busch, UX consultant and trainer.
- New skills are in demand: technological know-how (AI, APIs, software development) is becoming increasingly important for UX professionals.
- Generalists have an advantage: companies are increasingly looking for UX professionals who can combine UX, business and technology.
In comparison, the creative industry continues to diversify. In addition to UX design, creative and future-proof jobs in the design sector also include game design, graphic design, industrial design, communication design, logo design and web design. In the IT sector, there are also creative professions with promising future prospects, such as app developer, data artist, data scientist and programmer.
Growth potential and expansion strategies
Despite the challenges, there are numerous growth opportunities for UX designers and creative professionals. In 2024, the demand for skilled UI/UX designers will continue to grow as companies increasingly recognize the value of exceptional user experiences.
There are various sources of income for UX designers, from full-time jobs and freelance work to the sale of design assets. The average salary of a UX designer in Germany is around €44,500 per year, with a range of between €40,000 in the medical technology sector and €50,000 in mechanical and plant engineering, depending on the industry.
The cultural and creative industries show good scaling potential overall, especially in the digital sector. Fast-growing companies from NPP sectors are primarily active in the areas of software, gaming, advertising, digital marketing and content creation. The digital business, and in particular streaming with audiovisual content, offers promising scaling opportunities.
Specialization vs. generalization
One interesting trend is the simultaneous demand for specialists and generalists. On the one hand, the UX industry is looking for experts for specific sub-areas, while on the other hand there is a growing need for generalists who can see the big picture.
“In the future, the UX landscape will evolve faster than ever. … There will be more specialized roles within UX, for example experts in UX strategy, ethical design and AI integration. These specialists will be crucial as the industry faces new challenges and opportunities.”
The picture is similar in the creative industry as a whole. While some areas require highly specialized professionals, others are looking for versatile creatives who are proficient in various disciplines.
Ethics and sustainability as differentiators
Ethical aspects and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in both UX design and the creative industry. This is predicted for 2025:
- Accessibility and inclusive design: The new Accessibility Reinforcement Act ensures that significantly more guidelines must be complied with in the B2C sector, and this trend will also have an impact on the B2B sector.
- Sustainable design: As sustainability becomes more important worldwide, digital products need to incorporate environmentally conscious practices, such as energy-efficient interfaces and minimalist design.
- Ethical dilemmas: The pressures of financialization are forcing designers to balance user needs with business goals, highlighting the importance of business acumen and ethical standards.
Conclusion and outlook
The demand for UX designers will develop in a differentiated manner over the next few years compared to the creative industry as a whole. While the UX sector is currently going through a consolidation phase, the long-term trends point to a positive development – albeit with changing requirement profiles and areas of focus.
UX designers must evolve from pure designers to strategic consultants who not only create aesthetically pleasing interfaces, but also develop business-relevant solutions and can demonstrate the value of their work. The integration of AI will not lead to the replacement of UX designers, but will transform and enhance their role.
The creative industry as a whole will continue to differentiate, with growth opportunities particularly in digital and technology-driven areas. Creative professions that cannot be easily automated or that require human creativity and empathy will continue to be in demand in the future.
For both fields, lifelong learning, adaptability and a strong network will be crucial to succeed in a rapidly changing world of work. For those who accept these challenges and develop the right skills, both UX design and the broader creative industry offer promising future prospects despite all the upheavals.
